Will Palmer, the 2015 BRDC Formula 4 champion, was announced as
the winner of the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Award (MABA)
at the end-of-season Autosport Awards ceremony held at Grosvenor
House in London last night (Sunday 6 December). The 18-year-old was
selected as the winner by a panel of judges consisting of
motorsport industry experts and claims the prize package which
includes a cash sum of £100,000 and an invitation to test a McLaren
Grand Prix car.

The MABA was established in 1989 to help progress the careers of
outstanding young British racing drivers, with previous winners
including David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Anthony Davidson and
Dario Franchitti. Palmer becomes the second BRDC Formula 4 Champion
to claim the award, following on from 2014 Champion George
Russell's success in last year's MABA. Since its inception in 2013,
the BRDC Formula 4 Championship has had a strong presence in the
award, with nine of the 14 drivers to have been nominated in the
past three years having competed in the series; inaugural champion
Jake Hughes and 2015 Autumn Trophy victor Ben Barnicoat were also
nominated for this year's MABA.

The other finalists for the life-changing award included Formula
Renault 2.0 Eurocup and NEC Champion Jack Aitken, in addition to
MSA Formula drivers Ricky Collard and Toby Sowery. The six nominees
underwent fitness and simulator assessments before facing a
rigorous two-day test on the Grand Prix track at Silverstone in
Formula 2 single-seater, DTM Mercedes and McLaren 650S GT3
machinery. The sextet then faced interviews with a panel of experts
before the judges consisting of BRDC President Derek Warwick,
two-time British Touring Car Champion Jason Plato, McLaren's Andrew
Kirkaldy and Mark Williams, leading circuit commentator Ian
Titchmarsh, Autosport features Editor Scott Mitchell and Motorsport
News Editor Kevin Turner selected Palmer as the winner.

Palmer, who hails from Southwater in Sussex, enjoyed a stunning
2015 campaign in BRDC Formula 4, winning exactly half the races
across the season with 12 victories in addition to three other
podium finishes. He wrapped up the title with three races still
left in the season and amassed a record points total, finishing 137
points of his closest rival and HHC Motorsport team-mate, Harri
Newey.

Palmer said: "It's absolutely unbelievable. Every year I've seen
the six finalists on stage and dreaming of one day taking part,
it's an amazing opportunity.

"Now that I'm here as the winner, it's absolutely
unbelievable.

"It's absolutely massive for my career."

BRDC President Derek Warwick added: "Will took our breath away.
He impressed all of us."